IT World:

Google has received federal approval to buy and sell energy on the open market, giving it more options for the way it powers its data centers and opening the door to a potential move into the energy-trading business.

Google applied for the authorization last December through a wholly owned subsidiary called Google Energy. The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved its application Thursday, granting Google “market-based rate authorization,” or the authority to buy and sell energy on a wholesale basis.

“We made this filing so we can have more flexibility in procuring power for Google’s own operations, including our data centers,” Google spokeswoman Niki Fenwick said via e-mail.

Here is FERC’s order granting Google the authorization:

E-18 –

Via the EPW website, here is the agenda for the first hearing:

Full Committee hearing entitled, “Legislative Hearing on S. 1733, Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act.”
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
09:30 AM EDT
EPW Hearing Room – 406 Dirksen

Witnesses

Opening Remarks

Panel 1

The Honorable John F. Kerry
United States Senator (D-MA)

Panel 2

The Honorable Steven Chu
Secretary
United States Department of Energy

The Honorable Ray LaHood
Secretary
United States Department of Transportation

The Honorable Ken Salazar
Secretary
United States Department of the Interior

The Honorable Lisa Jackson
Administrator
United States Environmental Protection Agency

The Honorable Jon Wellinghoff
Chairman
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Solve Climate:

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and Wind on the Wires (WOW) have filed a protest with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to stop a proposal by the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (MISO) — one that would dramatically change the way costs are distributed for new transmission lines.

PROTEST OF THE AMERICAN WIND ENERGY ASSOCIATION AND WIND ON THE WIRES –

AWEA statement below the fold.

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